The Department of Labour Inspection has announced a mandatory heat work ban for all heavy and moderate outdoor work, as well as deliveries using motorcycles, bicycles and personal mobility devices, due to extreme temperatures and the orange weather warning issued by the Department of Meteorology.
The suspension will apply from 12:00 to 16:00 while the warning remains in force.
Areas affected
The heat work ban covers inland areas of Cyprus located:
- below 300 metres above sea level; and
- more than 10 kilometres from the coastline.
The measure applies to all heavy and moderate outdoor work, as well as delivery services involving food, products, mail and other items using:
- motorcycles;
- mopeds;
- bicycles;
- scooters; and
- electric scooters.
Employers urged to follow heat protection measures
For workplaces and areas not covered by the orange warning, the Department reminded employers and self-employed workers that they must continue implementing measures to protect employees from heat stress in accordance with the Code of Practice.
These include:
- monitoring workplace temperature and humidity;
- adjusting work schedules to suit weather conditions;
- providing frequent breaks in shaded or air-conditioned areas;
- ensuring a constant supply of cool drinking water;
- supplying appropriate personal protective equipment, including hats; and
- avoiding strenuous outdoor work during the hottest hours of the day.
Work stoppages depend on humidity levels
The Department also noted that under the Code of Practice, when temperatures range between 39°C and 46°C, work stoppages are determined not only by temperature but also by relative humidity levels and the intensity of the work being carried out.
Examples of work categories
The Department provided examples of different work classifications.
Light work includes office duties, supervision, bench work using light tools and normal driving.
Moderate work includes fencing installation, concrete work, bricklaying, plastering, painting, flooring, tiling, hoeing, forging, carrying light materials, carpentry, electrical, plumbing and mechanical work, aluminium and railing installation, and machine-assisted road surfacing.
Heavy work includes strenuous manual labour, reinforcing steel installation, assembling and dismantling formwork, excavation or breaking hard materials using mechanical tools or equipment weighing more than 15kg, and manually carried out asphalt paving.
Safety remains the priority
The Department of Labour Inspection urged both employers and employees to strictly follow all prescribed safety measures to protect workers’ health during the current period of extreme heat.
Source: CNA
Also read: Orange weather warning issued as Cyprus hits 43°C
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